The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-08
DON'T GIVE 1T AWAY.

The newspaper men OF oregon
are invited to meet at Yaquina on
the Both and form a press associa-
ton. The object of the associa-
ton is mutual benefit, not exactly
an aid society, but something like
it.. The idea seems to be to fix
up some scheme to make the great
American public in this state pay
for what it gets. The topic In
vites comment. 1t is asserted
that Oregon newspapers are do
ing great deal Of work for moth
ing, and that they ought to devise
some scheme to make folks pay
for the work. The intent is
laudable, but press association
won't do it. A press association,
in this regard, would be useless to
those who need such aid, and un-
necessary to those who don't.
THE Historian always speaks OF
things as it finds them. Astoria
has always been willing to contrib
ute generously and heartily to
sustain THE Historian, and our
business relations with the COM
munity are of the pleasantest
nature. If THE AsToRIAN or any
other newspaper in the state thinks
it is working for nothing, or doing
great deal without pay that it
ought to be paid for, the way to
stop is to stop. Joining a press
association won't do it. Associa-
tiops are valuable only by reason
of individuals and individuals
ways. If Smith or Brown can't
manage their business separately,
it won't help to have Smith or
Brown join a mutual admiration
society composed of others in the
same fix.
The newspaper is private en-
terprise with public functions.
Its object is to make money for
its owner. Whatever alleged
motive may be given out for start
ing a newspaper, expectation of
profit is the real one, whether the
newspaper is religious, political,
personalorgan, commercial or any
thing else. AS a general thing the
owners Of q newspaper cater to the
public, their patrons and custom
ers, to make a living, just the
same as the tailor or the grocer or
the merchant in any line of busi-
ness. This motive of making
money, of making living and
supporting family is what leads
lawyers, doctors and others to
adopt professions. To make a
living: to have q career, is the
original incentive in all cases.
And further, if anewspaper doesn't
pay its owners it is valueless to
the public. Not all newspapers
that make money are good, but, as
g rule, the best newspapers are
the successful ones, for obvious
reasons. The editor Of a news
paper who stands with his hat in
his hand begging for crumbs; or
who has to run around to bis
masters back door to be told what
to say, has the respect accorded
any other beggar. A newspaper
that whines because it isn't "sup-
ported" or appreciated" is
bound to come to grief in the
long run or the short run. A
newspaper has no more claim on
the public than any other business
enterprise. The appeal of a news
paper for support" or that it
ought to be sustained by COM
munity on any ground than that ii
is good article that people want,
is childish in this age and country
If a man wants to start a newspa.
per devoted to decorated teapots
with the noble view of inducing
his fellow citizens to live up tc
his idea of teapot, very good
but he shouldn't whimper if be
fails.
The idea of the present project.
ors of the state press association
4 Al